where orders emerge

Book of Letters-to-the-Editor

Sometime next year (probably in May 2012) a book of 100 of my best letters-to-the-editor will be published, in both paper and e-book form. The publisher and I (with the help of Jim Tusty and Bob Chitester at Free To Choose Network) are now in the process of winnowing down nearly 5,000 letters to 100.

The plan is to have a letter on the left-hand page and, on the right-hand page across from the letter, some new material that relates somehow to the letter – for example, a cartoon; an updating of any data that might be in the letter; an especially interesting reaction to the letter; etc.

I welcome from you any suggestions you have for which of my letters are good candidates to be included in the book.

Your letter titled “The Problem Began When the Invention of the Spear Reduced the Price of Food” was great for the title alone. I good cartoon can be easily imagined for the facing page. The contents too (aside from the title) were also very enjoyable.

RandyJune 5, 2011 at 7:39 am

like

flotsamJune 4, 2011 at 11:23 am

To Whom It Damn Well Better Concern!

(sorry, i’m crude)

TrentmcbrideJune 4, 2011 at 11:25 am

Is there any plan to have the original article that prompted the letter as well?

Reuvain BorchardtJune 5, 2011 at 8:55 am

yeah, I also thought that would be a good idea; but the publisher would probably have to get permission from each newspaper to re-print the articles. And some letters were written in response to comments on radio shows…

Fantastico! I’m looking forward to reading another book by Don Boudreaux. Will there be a chapter at the beginning of the book which discusses the letter writing process? This might be a sort of a behind the scenes look at the Don Boudreaux letter-writing factory.

Maybe we can also have, 10 of the most memorable comments in an appendix? Or maybe just memorable or unique phrases that appeared in the comments.

KenJune 4, 2011 at 11:44 am

Don,
Maybe something from your much younger days….I’m sure you wrote some zingers to the AU Plainsman many moons ago:)

This is wonderful news.
I save your letters so I can send them to my economically illiterate
friends. This will save me lots of time!

I have 2 suggestions.

(1) Use more than 100 letters. 100 seems way to small.

(2) In addition to the
book, whay not have a link to a website repository with all your letters.

As for a title, how about:

Letters form an Economist

or

Letters From Reality

–Larry Wasserman

Reuvain BorchardtJune 5, 2011 at 8:58 am

I second that!

Don, Can you please print more than 100; and at the very least, have a new website in which you have full archives of ALL your letters?

You are the best!

Chris MartinJune 4, 2011 at 12:52 pm

As a novice student of Austrian Economics, it would greatly add to my reading experience if you grouped the letters in categories, much like the web site. I tend to learn a little more when there’s a connection between subsequent letters as they relate and reinforce key theories. This would also help me in my daily quest to convert others, as my brother did to me.

Best of luck in this endeavor.

A.June 4, 2011 at 12:53 pm

I’d be interested in the book if it had some analysis of the issues, and not just updated data/reactions. That would be more work of course.

Hmmm … concerning your nasty habit to write letters to the world without the world asking for letters from Don Boudreaux it is hard to find an appropriate title. Anyway I’m thinking a Jack Reacher quote from Lee Child’s novels would be a good title:

That would be great! Love your letters. My only request would be to ask if you could make a larger number online, maybe an extra for those who have purchased the book?

BobJune 4, 2011 at 5:19 pm

Reality Bites Back!

Troll FinderJune 4, 2011 at 6:42 pm

A few letters addressing the misconceptions regarding the trade deficit should certainly make the cut. It’s one of the most grossly misunderstood concepts, and you do an excellent job of articulating why. And…I’m tired of hearing talking heads tell me that this deficit must be “financed”.

PfloydJune 4, 2011 at 6:47 pm

It needs to have some teeth in the title, after all these letters are essentially attacking the wrong-headed notions of people in the media who are using their platform to spout off about that which they know little about.

Dan HillJune 4, 2011 at 7:18 pm

Don, all your letters are gems so I’m happy with whatever goes in. But please, please, please make sure your publisher does a decent job on formatting the ebook version.

RE: those who have asked for a website for ALL of Don’s letters: Don used to have one in which he posted all letters that he and Prof. Andrew Morriss of U. of Alabama wrote ( marketcorrection.powerblogs.com ) but it’s no longer up, I think the host closed up shop or something. Here’s hoping a new site will be up soon!

Reuvain BorchardtJune 5, 2011 at 9:09 am

Don,

Any collection of your greatest letters MUST MUST MUST include the one where you refused to lobby Congress to allocate public funds for research of the disease that killed your mother http://cafehayek.com/2008/08/no-plunder.html
IMO This one is among your greatest ever, if not the greatest

Mike WhiteJune 5, 2011 at 9:10 am

Only 99 spaces available. “Why I Don’t Vote” should lock up a spot.

Ed CabanissJune 5, 2011 at 10:13 am

Everything you write is great. Once in a while I print one out and lay it on the bar at the local watering hole. Conversation is different after that. Best of luckwith the book. 100 seems like a small number to me but I’ve never found a letter I disagreed with. Keep writing.
Ed Cabaniss
Holden Beach, NC

BillJune 5, 2011 at 11:00 am

“Krugman Antidote”

vikingvistaJune 5, 2011 at 2:07 pm

That it certainly will be. Only problem is that would seem to elevate Krugman to the level of economist.